Oddworld: Abe's Oddysee
Oddworld: Abe's Oddysee is the first game set in the fictional Oddworld universe. It is a platformer with puzzle-solving elements, focusing on the portrayal of a weak, underpowered character in a grim and hostile world, who has to rely on his cunning to outwit enemies and overcome hazards. The game has pre-rendered background graphics and uses CG movies of similar style to advance the story between the levels. The main character Abe is almost completely helpless: he cannot use weapons and is usually instantly killed by his brutal enemies if he confronts them directly. For this reason, most of the game involves careful exploration, timed movement, sneaking, and outsmarting the foes through various means: throwing stones to confuse them, luring them into traps, etc. Abe can run, jump, climb, tiptoe, crouch, and roll; in most areas these actions are essential to his survival. A few stages involve Abe riding a large animal known as Elum. Abe's only special power is chanting, which he can use to stun certain enemies for a while or possess them. When Abe possess an enemy he gains his abilities: for example, possessing the body or a ferocious Slig allows the player to shoot from his machine gun, communicate with other creatures of his kind, and even commit suicide, clearing the way for Abe.
What it feels like
A harsh, dark world of meat-packing factories and brutal enemies that instantly kill the helpless protagonist establishes an unflinching harsh tone. Despite the grim world, the absurdist premise, quirky character design, and comedic tone of outwitting enemies through cunning provides fanciful charm. Dark comedic tone mocking Abe's helplessness and the absurdity of his predicament provides dry wit beneath the grim surface.
What it's about
An alien, grim world populated by strange creatures and industrial decay, with a decayed, hostile atmosphere despite the sci-fi setting. A speculative sci-fi setting with alien Mudokons, industrial meat-packing, and futuristic enemies roots the oddity in sci-fi rather than pure fantasy. Enduring a hostile world where Abe is almost entirely helpless and must rely on cunning to survive against brutal enemies and hazards.
How it plays
Jumping, climbing, and navigating hazardous geometry across pre-rendered environments is a core challenge throughout the game. Solving puzzles woven into the game world—luring enemies into traps, timing movements past hazards, using terrain strategically—is the primary problem-solving method. Avoiding detection through careful movement, shadow, and reading enemy patrol patterns is essential to Abe's survival against far superior foes.
How it looks and sounds
Pre-rendered backgrounds with CG movie cutscenes in a hand-crafted, illustrative style give the game a distinctive visual identity. Pre-rendered backgrounds with fixed cinematic camera angles frame each space, creating a controlled visual presentation.
How it's structured
The game is structured as discrete stages played through in a mostly fixed order, each a self-contained puzzle-platformer challenge. Designed as a solo experience with no multiplayer component; all focus is on Abe's solitary struggle for survival.
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